Simplicity

I am becoming absolutely humbled by kindergartners. They don't wear the masks I do and they are a whole lot funnier. Seriously.

In particular, one girl in our class says whatever comes to her mind and it is providence that this particular girl also attends a Bible class after school on Wednesdays. So, let me give you a taste of the joy I see Christ working through her:

 Uno: As we were getting our kindergartners ready to go home (a midst hollering and pleas for coat and boot assistance) I hear "Raise your hand if you want to go to Bible club?" My attention was piqued and I turned toward the shrill voice. She continued,"You get to learn about Jesus, AND you get chocolate chip cookies! Sometimes you get dorritos!" I had tunnel vision and I went straight for my notepad and a pen. I am not sure if some of the rug rats were pulling at me for help with their winter garbs, but I had one thing in mind-- THIS is what is important. This little sage is speaking from the heart and it is obvious that the Holy Spirit is dwelling there. So I listened as she continued, "God made us out of dirt. Isn't that crazy!! Jesus died on the cross for us! Isn't that crazy!!"  And isn't it crazy that He did this for us? Or am I too hidden behind the mask and focused on pressing forward that I don't take the time to feel? Well, her joy and truth spread into my soul and continues to do so. Why? Because she spoke the word. Simply. It is sharp and pierces even the marrow. I was pierced to the marrow. I hope something like that happens when you think on her words...on God's words.

Dos":  This morning I asked the little sage (or is it Sagette?)  what we can use in some tall buildings to go up in down. "You use the alligator."

Tres: Later in the morning I was walking through the room as the students did some origami that I thought would be way too hard for them. It wasn't. Chalk that up as another humbling experience. I suck at origami and thought they would too. Come on, they are only 5-years-old! Nope. Not only are they living with less masks then me. They are smarter too. Anyway, that was an uncalled for digression so I might delete that later. So, I was walking around and I hear, in that same shrill voice, "We are Jesus' lambs." Apparently somebody at her table disagreed (probably trying to politely correct her on the fact that we are not sheep) and she responded with more passion that we are probably used to, "YES WE ARE!! I am Jesus little lamb!" And the depth of the matter thumped me around a bit. Feelings for my wife and her vulnerability and tenderness flooded my mind (that is her favorite hymn and she often sings it when she is tired or stressed) and I looked at my little student and saw how distraught she was concerning this kindergarten heresy. So I walked to her side, put my hand on her back, patted her, and then got down to her level and said to her, "You are Jesus' little lamb. Never forget that, o.k.?" And I pray she never does. Even when her family and friends dismiss these "myths" she has been introduced to. Because, like story uno, the word of God pierces the heart...deeper than the marrow. Praise God for such a gift that dwells so richly in the simple and unmasked life of a 5-year-old. 

Everything is Meaningless

There is a definite freedom in Solomon's "Everything is meaningless..." Because, first of all, that takes a huge pressure off the importance that we think everything seems to have. Second, it's not really true because everything has meaning in Christ.

 Even our mistakes. They point us to Him. They reveal our hearts.

Even our pain. It points us to His strength. It allows us to open up with one another and experience relationship that is vulnerable and has a heartbeat.

Even the depression, setting in when we feel like even the good times are meaningless. Because they aren't.

We are chasing our tails, round and round, as a pastor once said. But even in my looking back (and presently at) my tail chasing, I see my shepherd calling me back from my nonsense. And it comforts me. It liberates me from feeling as if I need to do everything correct and make the most of every single opportunity. But it doesn't make me want to sit around-- usually I do that when I am feeling paralyzed by the pressure of something. No, liberation begets joy, and joy gets me excited to embrace life, difficulties and all.

Yet in Christ I am enlightened as to what has value and I guess there are a great many things that I should view as not necessary or not worth huge stores of my energy or concern. I do, however, want to encourage all of you feeling broken.

With Christ everything is not meaningless.

If God is Loving

The argument that, a loving God cant send people to hell because I wouldn't wish that upon anyone, and I am not perfect...far from love. So, if God is love, there is no way he sends people to hell.

Have you heard this argument? It really makes sense. That's probably the first inclination that it is wrong. Talking about this a few weeks back, Paula and I really struggled with this idea. It is really hard to imagine God sending people to hell. Especially since we don't want that for anyone.

I forget how I started thinking about this, maybe it had to do with we view certain crimes. Regardless, I started thinking about the severity of even our small sins and how a Holy God might view them. So I imagined someone who didn't view rape/molestation or violent crimes as a big deal, kind of dismissing them. What would we think about that? Would that make a person more loving? Am I less like God because they make me think about justice and punishment? No, though it might tip over the cup of unrighteous anger about to spill over in my own heart.

The point is, it is a big deal, this sin we have. To God it is even bigger. That is what is so joyful about salvation in Christ. You are deserving of eternal torment, legs shaking, fingers pointing at you, even your own conscience, and Christ... He comes and pays the full price for our sins. He calls, redeems, and grows us into His body/church. It is amazing. The philosophical argument that pulled at our heart strings is contrary to the Bible and it's that simple. It's also heart strings pulling, while the Gospel is a real joy that smashes every stronghold and fills with life.

This grace frees, though I am perplexed by the thought of hell. In Restless, by Jennie Allen, she describes how a professor encouraged her to embrace the tension of who God is. When we don't do this, we "end up somewhere wrong" ( Allen, p. 30). And as I was pondering this yesterday, I was listening to Moody radio. I wanted to hear how these folks answered certain questions. After the show, one of the pastors explained how he was going to preach on infant salvation the following day. Did you catch that? Are you seeing the connection? God surely must...if...

Any thoughts on these matters? I am especially interested in thoughts on embracing the tension of who God is, without putting Him where He really isn't. So, shoot, and it doesn't have to be on the doctrines addressed here.

Love Wins

A few years back it seemed lots of pastors in my life were getting pretty pissed off about this book. Personally, Rob Bell seemed too trendy for me to even approach. Well, I dove into this a few months back as it seems the Lord placed some big fans of him in our lives. Maybe you've read his stuff and know his poetry and prose set up. There are many responses to this book that really dissect his theology, but I was convinced one night to approach this differently, rather satirically which is not my norm. So here it goes:

Imagine the voice of Leonard Nimoy reading this.

Christians are part of the in crowd.
You didn't know that?
They are.
You are.

If you aren't in, you're out.
Or are you?

There is a lady who wrote about being spiritually "raped" by her father.
This happened in the way he prayed.
My sister and I agree my Grandma did the same to us.
She had a picture of people walking to heaven
over an abyss, by way of a cross.
Thus she raped us...spiritually.

The Bible is kind of intense.
It is confusing.
Often I like to play the devil's advocate and just leave it at that.
It is confusing.

Jesus probably wasn't all knowing.
The rich man was someone Jesus had heard about.
Must have been on the front page a lot.
It's not like Jesus knew his heart.

Life is now.
Heaven is now.
If you don't like righteousness, this life will be hell.

Clean water for the poor is most important.
That's what my church does.
I like to ignore Jesus' words about living water
to the Samaritan woman.

Christians are mean and lots don't believe or leave the faith
due to this.
They are like the popular kids.
Remember when I said that in the first chapter?

Heaven is more like purgatory here on earth.
Racists and rapists, well,
they might go to a hell.
If there is one.

I don't make children stumble.
My sin isn't a big deal.

String theorists are dope.
They are talking about all these dimensions to life.
Turn and burn Christians suck.

Hell is the bad we make this earth.
Jesus just meant being crushed by the Romans
when he mentioned hell.

I don't use A.D.
It's C.E., yo.

Sodom and Gomorrah will arise.
Jesus said it.
Who knows what "Satan" is.
I think that is representative of purification.
Yeah, Satan purifies us.

So, like I said, hell=evil.
Bad stuff.
Not a real place.
Don't be so fundamental.

If God condemns someone I wouldn't
he's really bad.
Not good.
God is not good if people go to hell.
People being tormented in hell isn't a good story.

God respects our choices.
Eminem is dope.
I went to a comeback concert of his.
He wore a cross.
It doesn't mean much.

What doesn't mean much?
Well, the cross.
No, both ways.

First, it's a cool thing to wear.
Second, it pisses me off when people have signs that say
"Jesus died for your sins".

This can no longer continue as I got bored of hearing a man's opinion, after the anger subsided, was repented of, and Paula and I agreed we should be praying for this man( I urge you all to do the same for him and anyone else who is getting caught up in serious false doctrines). So, I don't recall what page I made it to. 120? 

Sometimes he really nailed it. Also, I think there is a time to play devil's advocate, but I felt Rob just left it at that. 

I think I am going to post on his major philosophical weapon, used by many others. Grace and peace...truly.